As the Jeju Air flight tragically crashed in Muan South Korea on Sunday, resulting in the loss of 179 lives, families gathered at the airport, anxiously seeking updates on their loved ones. Among them, one individual revealed receiving a devastating message from a passenger just moments before the crash, indicating that a bird had struck the plane's wing. The message poignantly asked, "Should I say my last words?"
According to South Korea's News1 agency, the passenger sent a text message to a family member saying that a bird has struck the aircraft's wing.
A man waiting at the airport for a family member on the ill-fated flight shared the last message he received from the passenger at 9 am moments before the ill-fated flight skidded off the runway and slammed into a concrete fence before bursting into flames.
"A bird struck the wing and we can't land," the flyer wrote via KakaoTalk, The Korea Times reported.
As the man asked how long this had been taking place, the family member replied a minute later, “Just now. Should I say my last words?"
Most of 181 people on board killed in crash
The incident occurred on Sunday at Muan airport in South Korea when the Jeju Air passenger aircraft's front landing gear reportedly failed to deploy, causing it to veer off the runway and collide with a concrete barrier, killing everyone aboard except for two flight attendants plucked from the wreckage.
A bird strike was cited by authorities as the likely cause of the crash -- the worst ever aviation disaster on South Korean soil -- which flung passengers out of the plane and left it "almost completely destroyed".
"Of the 179 dead, 65 have been identified," the country's fire agency said, adding that DNA retrieval had begun.
Ill-fated jet was manufactured in 2009 The plane that got engulfed in flames was a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet returning from Bangkok. According to the transport ministry, it was manufactured in 2009.
Two crew members were rescued and remained conscious. Officials have switched to recovery efforts from rescue operations, and due to the severe impact, they are examining surrounding regions for bodies possibly thrown from the plane, according to Lee.
Also read: Moment when plane skidded off runway, burst into flames at South Korea airportThe emergency response involved 32 fire engines, multiple helicopters, and approximately 1,560 personnel including firefighters, police officers, and military personnel.
'Only tail part retains a little bit of shape'South Korean television footage showed the aircraft sliding across the runway at high velocity with its landing gear apparently retracted before striking a concrete wall, resulting in an explosion. The aircraft was completely destroyed, leaving only the tail section identifiable.
"Only the tail part retains a little bit of shape, and the rest of (the plane) looks almost impossible to recognize," said Muan fire chief Lee Jung-hyun.
Pilot sent distress signal before crashInitial investigations suggest the control tower had warned of potential bird strikes before granting permission for an alternative landing area. The pilot transmitted a distress signal moments before the crash. The transport ministry confirmed the retrieval of the flight data and cockpit voice recorders for investigation.
Also read: What caused South Korea plane crashThe incident involved two Thai nationals among the passengers. Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed condolences and directed immediate assistance. Jeju Air's president, Kim E-bae, publicly apologised and accepted responsibility while awaiting investigation results.
Boeing expressed condolences and offered support to Jeju Air. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew,” Boeing said.
Firefighters battled plane fire at Muan Airport